The year 2005 was a roller coaster of surprises and disappointments, gains and losses. It was a period of progress and a time of contention. The war in Iraq converted a dictatorship to a democracy with a duly elected governing body. And at home, hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and parts of neighboring states. The agony of the afflicted was shared by all Americans but the destruction of property, personal loss and the human toll were shouldered by the tens of thousands of victims.

The stock market held fast, inflation varied little and business improved as anticipated. Energy costs increased inordinately and gasoline prices at the pump and in the home severely impacted consumers, voraciously eating disposable dollars. Still, the economy thrived as did most retailers and the year slid into history as positive and prosperous.

The floor covering industry may have outpaced the economy as all categories enjoyed gains, on every level—manufacturer, distributor and retailer. Mergers and acquisitions continued throughout the chain and will go on unabated in 2006. This past year was marked by a stunning array of new products, fresh marketing and merchandising approaches, and a stronger relationship with discerning consumers. The industry moved forward aggressively and celebrated its triumphs and tragedies.

As elated as we are by our victories, so are we saddened by our losses. We miss the people who contributed to our successes but are no longer among us to share the achievements.

Each year we note the passing of our valued colleagues and dear friends to accord them a final salute to their illustrious lives and their influence on those whose lives they touched. Unfortunately, we cannot mention every person in our industry who died last year, only those we know about and were reported in published obituaries. So here is a final farewell to those who have made a difference to some of us personally and to the industry in which they lived.

Manufacturers

Ronald Beauford, 59, was with Wellco Corp., then joined Quality Car-pets, a distributor in Avon, Mass., and later went to Kraus Carpet Mills. After Kraus acquired Barrett Carpet Mills, he became executive vice president and general manager of the subsidiary.

Jim Clardy, 50, was the founder in 1994 and president of 828 International, a rug manufacturer and importer. He traveled to remote places, like Moldova and Tibet, where he helped missionaries develop an area rug factory. His missions abroad were humanitarian as well as for business purposes.

William K. Clark, 84, served Azrock Industries his entire career, more than four decades. He started in 1948 as a sales representative and moved up in rank and stature and eventually reached the position of president, chairman and CEO. During his tenure, asphalt tile was replaced by vinyl composition tile and, always involved with product development and manufacturing, he instituted new technologies when they became available, constantly upgrading the production process. His impactful contributions in essential areas—product innovation, styling and sales—made Azrock a national style leader and a profitable company. He retired in 1993 and the following year was inducted into the World Floor Covering Association’s Industry Hall of Fame.

Ernest Conner, 90, came to America from Scotland when he was 13, got his schooling, served in the Air Force during World War II, and, upon his discharge from the military joined Mohawk Carpet Mills and made it a career —a 46-year stint. He became Mohawk’s national contract sales manager, a position he held at retirement.

William Delaney, 84, spent more than 40 years with two major companies— Bigelow and Lees. He managed Bigelow’s showroom and offices in the Chicago Merchandise Mart for many years. Eventually he left Bigelow and joined Lees Carpet, then a division of Burlington Industries, where he became vice president of marketing.

Tom Egan, 71, began as sales manager for Metropolitan Distributors in Los Angeles. When E.T.C. acquired Metropolitan, he worked for the parent company. Later he became president of Western states with Coronet Carpets. He spent a lifetime in the broadloom business, having been a salesman with Lees and Catalina Carpets along the way.

Craig Hamilton, 55, director of research and development for Mapei Americas, was a veteran of more than 20 years in the tile and stone industry. He was the current president of the Materials & Methods Standards Association and had a strong influence on the International Organization for Standards, having worked on the introduction of new, clearer standards for tile and stone adhesives and grouts.

John Hensen, 77, held management positions with several major mills in a career that spanned four decades. He started in 1953 as a salesman for Jersey Carpet Corp. and, in 1971, joined Venture Carpets as vice president of sales for the Northeast. After a stint with Apollo Distributing, he joined the Georgian Carpets Division of WestPoint Pepperell as sales manager. When Shaw Industries acquired WPP, he remained with the company until he retired in 1993 because of failing health.

Donald Lumbatis, 55, since 1994 was vice president and general manager of Turnils, a Hunter Douglas subsidiary, and acting general manager of the parent company’s National Accounts Group, which comprises National Accounts and Alta divisions. He joined Hunter Douglas in 1990, and before that spent 17 years with J.C. Penney as president of its custom decorating division.

Janet Martinez spent the past 16 years with GranitiFiandre as vice president of sales. She was a major contributor to the company’s success in the United States. Her career was cut short when she died from injuries sustained in an accident.

Vanesa McIntosh, 41, was export manager for Ilva Ceramica S.A., an Argentine tile manufacturer. Prior to that, she was commercial director for a North American shipping and logistics company. Ilva lauded her for implementing her unique, proactive work techniques while assisting its salespeople and their distributors.

Beverly Murphy, 55, was the founder of Invision Carpet Systems in 1993. She began as a contract sales representative for Allied Chemical in 1982 and later joined Harbinger and then Prince Street Technologies. In 1998, she formed Beverly Murphy Home, which included carpet, area rugs, furniture and accessories.

Ken Rains, 71, spent 20 years with Gemini Carpet Mills in various sales positions and was named Salesman of the Year during his tenure. In 1993, he joined E.R. Carpenter and remained with the cushion manufacturer for a decade before retiring in 2003.

John Reilly, 82, worked for only two carpet companies in more than 35 years. After service in World War II, he joined Beattie Manufacturing Co. as a salesman and advanced to executive positions. When Beattie exited the industry, he joined Barrett Carpet Mills, where he rose to vice president of sales, a position he held at his retirement.

Philip A. Stillman, 85, was a carpet industry executive for more than five decades. His first involvement with a major manufacturer was with E.T. Barwick Mills in 1953, where he became vice president of sales. In 1965, he purchased Modern Carpet, which operated into the early 1980s and after that he owned and operated National Carpet Mills until his retirement in the 1990s.

Edward S. Strianese, 83, began his career in 1948 on the order desk of Empire Carpet and soon went into sales. In 1954, he joined Allen Industries, a cushion manufacturer. The company became Dayco and then was acquired by General Felt Industries. In 1981, he left GFI to form his own sales agency, Strianese Associates and, in 2003, he retired.

Louis E. Sugarman, 85, was an entrepreneur who founded Rodeo Carpets, a California mill, in the 1980s and before that Decorative Carpets, a retail operation catering to the young interior design community in West Hollywood.

Robert W. Van Buren, 74, joined Mastic Tile Co. (Matico) in 1949 and remained for 23 years, during which Ruberoid purchased the company, which was later acquired by GAF. He thrived during that period and brought many innovations to fruition. He was a strong influence in the company’s growth as vice president of manufacturing. In 1973, he was named president of Amtico, where he later introduced the first urethane-coated tile. In 1979, he was appointed president and CEO of Azrock Industries and 10 years later joined Domco Industries as vice chairman and CEO (in turn, the company became Domco Tarkett and now is Tarkett Inc.). In 2000, he was inducted into the World Floor Covering As-sociation’s Industry Hall of Fame, and at the close of the year he retired as vice chairman and CEO of Domco Tarkett.

Robert Weseman, 42, was vice president of hard surface products for Mohawk Industries. With the company only five years, he was instrumental in Mohawk’s rise as a hard surface resource, structuring programs in hardwood, vinyl, laminate and ceramic tile that are now part of the merchandise mix for thousands of retailers nationwide. He was one of those responsible for introducing Pergo’s laminate products in the United States and the eventual success of the brand.

Distributors

Madeline Biggs, 79, owned Flintile, a distributorship in Portland, Ore., and was a pioneer for women in the wholesale flooring business. In 1965, she began as an accountant for Burkheimers, a distributor, and soon advanced to commercial sales. She was the first female outside sales representative selling flooring in the Pacific Northwest. In 1977, she went out on her own to open Flintile.

Roy Bonhaus, 92, began his career in 1946 as a salesman for Alms & Doeke, a Cincinnati department store and, a decade later, he joined Ranney-Brown, a Barwick and Mohawk distributor, and became president of the company in the late 1960s. Five years later he was named the local sales representative for Brintons Carpet. In the late 1970s, he was a salesman for O’Connell Flooring. After his retirement in 1985, he became a consultant to CDC Distributors and then devoted his full time to the Greater Cincinnati Floor Covering Association.

Eugene A. Cerise, 60, joined Butler Johnson Ford Corp., a distributor in Phoenix, in 1968, and eventually bought the company and renamed it Cerise Co. After several years of successful operation, he decided to retire and return to San Diego.

Retailers

Morris Horowitz, 84, with his brother, Alex, co-founded A&M Linoleum in California in 1941. After the brothers served in World War II, they re-opened their business and changed the name to A&M Carpet to reflect an expanded operation with a full mix of flooring products. The company later opened three additional stores: two as part of the Flooring America franchise and two Big Bob’s stores. After a 50-year career, he retired in 1991, though he kept abreast of the activities of the growing chain. He had served on the board of directors of the Western Floor Covering Association, which is now the World Floor Covering Association.

Michael E. Plahn owned Oak Carpet Co. for 32 years. He was very involved in local industry activities and was a member of the Chicago Floorcovering Association for many years.

Kurt Reithmayr, 92, started a curtain and drapery shop in Walla Walla, Wash., in 1948 and subsequently opened to other stores—one in Pasco, Wash., and the other in Boise, Idaho. In the early 1950s, he was coaxed into the carpet business by Beryl Davis, the Gulistan distributor in the Northwest. Eventually, Kurt’s Decorative Service became a complete window and floor covering store, including vinyl tile and hardwood. He sold the store in 2001 and retired
at age 88.

Paul Rosen, 84, after serving in the Navy in World War II, became a salesman and then joined Lincoln Carpet Mills in Nebraska. He ultimately became president of the mill, which he sold in 1976 and retained the distribution center, which he converted into a retail operation—World of Carpets. After years of success, he retired. His son, David, now owns the store.

Steven Skolnik was president of Carpets & Us in Levittown, N.Y. The “Us” refers to his wife, Nancy. The company is a division of Danan Carpet Inc.

Victor E. Vitaro, 96, founded Carpet World in Houston, in 1960. He began his career in retailing with Foley’s and later became a manager at Trice Floor Covering, which he left to start his own business. He was so successful, he continued to expand and eventually built a 12-store specialty chain. He was one of the first retailers to produce and appear in his own radio and television commercials. He introduced private-label selling and featured his Skyline label on Carpet World products. He sold the Carpet World chain in 1983 and retired.

Richard T. Walker, 65, was a second generation rug retailer and 43-year veteran of the industry. His father, Russell C., founded Walker Rugs in the 1930s as a lease department in Kaufmann’s, a Pittsburgh department store. In 1962, after graduation from college, he joined the company and was a major contributor to its growth. Over the years, he operated lease departments in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Indianapolis, Houston and St. Louis. In 1990, he opened Walker Oriental Rugs, a retail outlet in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. He retired early in 2005.

Installers

Ben Boatwright Sr., 65, was CFI-certified in Atlanta in 1994 and relocated to Florida, where he open-ed an installation business.

Thomas Carson, 47, was active in the CFI and was certified as a professional installer. He worked until he was ravaged by the illness that claimed his life.

Doyle Dickerson, 65, started as a tile setter’s helper and soon became a full-fledged tile setter. In the early 1960s he moved to Atlanta and in 1974 he formed his own company, the Doyle Dickerson Co. His firm thrived and grew until he devoted all his time to managing his large work force. Today, the company has more than 100 employees. He was very active in the National Tile Contractors Association and was named its Tile Man of the Year in 1997. He held many offices in the NTCA, including president and chairman.

Arnold F. Dickson, 70, was a founding member of the International Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL) and had a long history with Floor Coverers Local 1759, having served as its president for 16 years. A retired installer, he held several key posts with the Local and with INSTALL. He was innovative and tireless in improving the skills and working conditions of its members. He was committed to expanding the education and abilities of his constituents.

Allan ‘Pat’ Fell, 52, was a technical services employee of L. Fishman & Son, a distributor, for many years and a long-time member of the Inter-national Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI). He was a member of the CFI board and its certification team. He also was co-chairman of the InternetMedia committee and chairman of the CFI Chapter committee, helping to complete the Chapter Resource Manual.

Neil Keller, 64, was the first Certified Master Installer in Montana and spearheaded the CFI’s presence in the state. He served on the CFI board many times and constantly promoted the organization in his home state and elsewhere. While he was installing carpet he suffered a heart attack and died.

Richard Schilling, 55, owned Gebert Floor Cov-ering in Edina, Minn., for 25 years, known in the area for high quality commercial flooring and excellent installation. He was a member of the Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA) since 1995 and served on its board as treasurer and secretary-treasurer.

Gregory A. Wilson, 43, was an active member of the Heartland Chapter of the CFI in Nebraska. He was a certified installer.

Associations

Alfred I. Halpern, 80, was the executive director of the Northeast Flooring Contractors Association (NFCA) for the past 17 years. After military service and college, he became an executive in the shoe industry and, in 1954, he
entered the flooring business as Amtico’s New England sales representative. Subsequently, he joined Joseph Silverman & Co., a Boston-based distributor, and became sales manager and then vice president of contract sales. In 1983, after the distributor exited the business, he accepted the NFCA position. He was passionately involved with many committees and important initiatives, and was instrumental in creating INSTALL, designed to raise the quality of floor covering installation professionals in North America.

Importers

Jack Tudisco, 72, began importing ceramic tile from Fiorano, Italy, in 1974 and founded Fiorano Tile Imports in his Valley Stream, N.Y., home. With the help of his three sons the business grew and relocated to a spacious showroom in Elmont, N.Y. Born in Sicily, he immigrated to Canada when he was 18 and, in 1956, he moved to America and became a U.S. citizen. Before entering the ceramic tile business he owned several restaurants. He retired from the family business in 2000; currently, the company is operated by his three sons and has 40 employees.

Cleaning & Restoration

Murray Lee Dow, Sr., 84, was known as the father of the Certified Restorer Program. For many years a leader in the industry, he was president of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration (ASCR) in 1985, when it was known as the As-sociation of Interior Decor Specialists. In 1952, with Gene O’Lee he formed Dow Columbia in Portland, Ore., a cleaning and restor-ation business. He inaugurated ASCR’s first class and was its first host in the late 1970s. He played a crucial role in the development of the National Insti-tute of Fire Restoration.

Industry Publisher

Archie Cherkezian, 82, was in the rug industry for more than five decades. He was esteemed as both the operator of William Cherkezian & Son and perhaps moreso as the editor of Oriental Rug Importers Association’s (ORIA) magazine, AREA, which he ran since 1955. His father formed the company in 1928 and after military service and college he joined the firm in 1947. In 1963, after the death of his father, he inherited the company. As time consuming as the business was, he always managed to tend to his editing chores and make the magazine a “must read” for ORIA’s members and the industry at large.

Interior Design

John Abbate, 71, had a varied career, having been involved in manufacturing, distributing and an interior design firm spanning more than 50 years. He started in 1951 as a 17-year-old sample boy for Magee Carpets. In 1963, he joined Aldon Rug Mills and, seven years later, he bought a mill with partners Jerry Leifer and Morty Peck, Peck-Sussex, in Delaware. From 1971 to 1984, he was with Benj. Berman, the New Jersey distributor, where he rose to senior vice president of the contract division. Then in 1988, he joined his wife, Maria, and Diane Barkoff, partners in Jericho Interiors, in Jericho, N.Y., specializing in contract flooring. He was the company’s president and partner when he passed away.

Travel

Frank Stevens, 75, owned Professional Travel in Dalton and was an honorary member of the carpet industry that he served faithfully and affectionately for decades. Originally from New York, in the mid-1950s he was a jute salesman and visited Dalton and surrounding areas calling on manufacturers. When jute lost its hold on the market, he relocated to Dalton and founded Stevens Textile, a venture that met with little success. He moved on and formed Professional Travel, which was very successful. He operated the company for more than 30 years, and in 1997 he sold it to Navigant International. After his retirement, he owned Stevens Arabians, a world-renowned breeder of straight Egyptian Arabian horses.

Trucking

George Stewart, 72, formed MidAmerica Cartage in 1973, trucking carpet from the Dalton area to the Midwest. In 1992, he opened a large terminal in Dalton and relocated his Elk Grove headquarters to Bloomingdale, Ill. He was an active member of the Chicago Floorcovering Association.

Frank Stevens

Morris Horowitz

Ed Strianese

Bob Van Buren

Victor Vitaro

Bob Weseman

John Abbate

Roy Bonhaus

Jim Clardy

Bill Clark

Pat Fell

John Hensen